Former Giant WR Steve Smith retires

A member of the 2007 Super Bowl winning Giants, Steve Smith retired on Wednesday.(AP)

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have announced wide receiver Steve Smith has retired from the NFL following an injury-plagued career.

Smith, a former Pro Bowler who helped the New York Giants win a Super Bowl, played six seasons in the league with the Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and St. Louis Rams. He was signed earlier this offseason by the Bucs as a free agent.

A second-round pick in 2007 by the Giants out of USC, Smith played in 64 NFL games and had 245 catches for 2,641 yards receiving and 12 TDs.

Smith battled knee injuries the past three seasons that limited him to playing in 27 of 48 games.

Smith said in a release Wednesday it was not an easy decision, but "it's the right decision for me at this time."